Manager, Standards

Acre is supporting GRI in the recruitment of a (Senior) Manager within the Standards team to work either hybrid from Amsterdam or remotely (+/-2 hours CET) with the team based in Amsterdam.

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GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) is an independent, international organization that helps organizations with transparency. They do this through the creation of a global common language for organizations to report their sustainability impacts. This enables informed dialogue and decision-making around those impacts.

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The Role:

GRI is seeking (Senior) Managers to lead the development of their standards for reporting sustainability impacts. These positions provide exciting opportunities to join a leading and fast-growing international organization in the field of sustainability reporting, working directly with stakeholders from businesses, civil society, and inter-governmental organizations.

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GRI has an ambitious work program for the Standards Division where you will manage and lead the development of one or more of these Standards. In the next year, GRI is developing Sector Standards for textiles, apparel, banking, insurance and other financial sectors, as well as updating and developing Topic Standards for Labor and human rights, climate change, Economic Impacts, and start research on pollution, circular economy, artificial intelligence, algorithms and data privacy.

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While you are not required to be an expert in specific sectors or topics, expertise and practical knowledge about the topics mentioned are beneficial. It is your role to engage with a wide range of stakeholders from businesses, Global Unions, mediation institutions, academics, investors, regulators, and civil society to draw out and synthesize multi-stakeholder perspectives into the standard-setting process, and act as an authoritative subject matter expert or thought leader in your area and as a representative of GRI.

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What will your typical day look like?

You will lead standards development projects involving researching the relevant sectors and sustainable development topics, convening and facilitating multi-stakeholder groups of experts, and transforming this input into technical content in a reporting standard. The aim is to serve the public interest, promote the global adoption of sustainability reporting, and increase transparency on critical sustainable development issues.

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You will guide a project team and manage public consultations and other engagement processes to secure stakeholder input. As part of your role, you will also liaise directly with the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), GRI's independent standard-setting body, and serve as a representative of GRI in public forums or online events.

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Responsibilities Include:

• Plan and implement Standards development projects and related workstreams, including budgetary responsibilities

• Develop detailed project proposals and documents in preparation of project related briefings, as well as departmental documents and senior-level correspondence

• Provide input to the ongoing development of the GRI Standards and related documents and communications

• Maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships, focused on future project options and programs

• Represent GRI in multi-stakeholder platforms, public forums, and other related events

• Acts as spokesperson for the Standards Division when and where needed

• Identify and develop new possibilities and take initiatives within the area of responsibilities

• Be a subject matter expert on the GRI Standards

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Who are you?

You are an ambitious professional with experience and understanding of sustainability reporting or managing sustainable development issues. You bring excellent project management skills, a background in collaborating with partners or stakeholders and experience in writing technical content.

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You are a strong communicator (both verbal and written) and have a keen interest in sustainable development.

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Key Competencies/Requirements:

• Technical knowledge of the standards or certification development processes

• Experience working for a standard setter or certification organization, preferably on sustainability related topics

• Results focused with the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines

• Knowledge of sustainability issues and familiarity with the sustainable development agenda

• Project management experience, including the delegation of tasks to colleagues along with appropriate supervision

• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must, with fluency in one or more other languages an advantage

• Strong communication skills and attention to detail, including experience delivering presentations and facilitating workshops or training sessions

• Excellent interpersonal skills,

• Able to work in an international and multi-cultural setting and with remote teams

• Affinity with the mission and vision of GRI

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GRI Offers:

• Hybrid work or remote arrangement (within +/- 2 hours CET)

• Access to coworking office spaces globally

• 36 (or extra leave) vacation days per calendar year to a maximum of 43 days paid time off, including local public holidays

• Pension contribution of 8% gross yearly salary and €70 per month healthcare contribution, or according to local labor legislation

• Free access to the GRI Academy, the possibility to become a GRI-certified sustainability professional, and other personal development platforms; learning, development, and well-being platforms

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About GRI

GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) is an independent, international organization that helps organizations be transparent and take responsibility for their impacts so that together we can create a sustainable future. GRI does this through the creation of a global common language for organizations to report their sustainability impacts. This enables informed dialogue and decision-making around those impacts.

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GRI is the global standard setter for impact reporting, which through an independent, multi-stakeholder process, maintains the world's most comprehensive set of sustainability reporting standards. Available as a free public good in 11 languages, the GRI Standards are, globally, the most widely used for sustainability reporting.

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More than 10,000 organizations, including 78% of the largest 250 companies in the world, disclose sustainability information through the GRI Standards - something unimaginable when GRI was first established 25 years ago. In addition, GRI's standards are referenced explicitly in 160 policies of governments, regulators, and stock exchanges in 60 countries.

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Acre is supporting GRI in the hiring for this role. To apply, please note that only applications directly through Acre's website/link will be considered. If you have any questions, please contact Declan Murphy at declan.murphy@acre.com.